New to Cycling? WATCH THIS.

Understanding bikes can feel pretty daunting when you're new to cycling. It certainly did for me. But you have to start somewhere! In this video I share 7 things I didn't know about bikes until well into cycling. My hope is that I might help you learn something a little faster than I did, or at least not feel so alone. Understanding my bike better helped me really lean into the freedom and joy of being on two wheels. I hope it does for you too!
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CHAPTERS
0:00 What I didn't about bikes and cycling
1:18 Basic bike maintenance I didn't know
2:06 Tire health matters
2:40 Choosing a good tire
3:34 How to fix a flat
4:43 Use tire pressures to your advantage
5:33 I broke my rack!
6:30 Fenders are your friends
7:16 Get more cycling tips!
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[@SheelaghDaly]

What have you learned about bikes or cycling over the years that you wish you knew sooner? I would love to hear!

[@tconnolly9820]

I only got a sensible hybrid bike as a requested Christmas present six (or is it seven - I've lost count) years ago after not being on one for about 30 years previously in my teens. It's still the only bike I own and it's become one of my loves in my life. I've gradually turned it into a car alternative as much as possible with racks, bags, baskets, accessories and currently two fairly large trailers for carrying anything from a weeks family shopping to a full sized lawnmower. But don't and won't own any lycra. I ride bike appropriate normal clothing. Utilitarian Dutch style + could be a good coverall description for how I see my relationship with cycling. Again, I literally knew nothing. I pumped up the tyres to the recommended pressure but they were never hard enough. Then I realised because I'm 2 metres tall and 120kg, they needed extra pressure to support the extra weight plus additional luggage or cargo. Speaking of racks, I got my rear spring loaded rack cheap from Lidl and had to then buy a separate extension from a bike shop because it was too short to fit a 60cm frame bike. I have no idea what it's weight limit is but somehow it's held up with up to 30kg on it often! Not just oiling the chain but it was a revelation that it needed to be cleaned occasionally too! Which reminds me, must do later...... Always bring a basic set of tools with you. It's no good knowing how to fix a puncture or a chain problem if you haven't got your basic tools with you. I currently keep (too many) tools in a zipper tool bag (plus a couple of bungee cords, you never know when a bungee cord will help solve one of life's unexpected problems) and carry that in a backpack I take with me whenever I park up my bike. I also take all my lights with me too. Even in quiet safe locations, unfortunately if you leave anything on your bike, eventually it will get stolen. 😭 And lights, especially for those of us who travel on roads with absolutely no cycling lanes or infrastructure and have to mix it with all kinds of traffic. And especially in the darkness and dull winter weather. The more you can be seen, the safer you will be. Don't skimp on high quality lights front and rear. Plus hivis vest summer and winter. I started doing this' this winter..... I have a 70cm length of light half inch black plastic water pipe fixed to the back of my carrier rack using two pipe clips. That's just the same width as my handlebars with mirrors. On each end of the pipe I have a pair of very bright 150 lumens flashing tail lights. The idea being it makes me look considerably wider to traffic approaching from behind and I have genuinely found that I have been given a wider berth by overtaking traffic than previously when I just had a single centred rear light. I got the idea from seeing someone touring using a flag extended out wider than the bike. Personally I think this is working very effectively and I am swearing by it to anyone who will listen. I can add or remove the pipe in 30 seconds by just screwing or unscrewing the pipe clips just enough to release the pipe with a screwdriver I always carry with me now. Fitness. You don't have to be fit to get out on a bike. Just ride as much as you're comfortable with and the more you do it, the easier it will be. But also accept your limitations. I had to. I thought after getting into cycling quite a bit that I could ride the 20km each way to work and back again. But my work is almost entirely 13 hour long physically and mentally exhausting night shifts. It was just too much and I couldn't do it except on an occasional time. If I worked 9-6 regular hours in an office or shop perhaps it would be different but not doing my current job. But I will hop on the bike to travel 20km whenever practical when I'm not working and occasionally much more. I'm trying to remember your other points but I just thought of one very important one you obviously deliberately left out to allow the rest of us to contribute something useful....! Saddle height! This is something very important and I never even thought of adjusting my Saddle height until someone in a bike shop pointed it out to me after I had the bike for over two years. If it's too low, your knees will be bent too much and your pedalling will be less efficient and put too much strain on your knees and legs. If it's too high then it's also going to be harder and less efficient to pedal and affect different muscles. There's the ideal Goldilocks position where it's not too high or not too low and it's just right and it will give you the most comfortable and energy efficient position for longer and more enjoyable cycling for fun, commuting or for whatever reason you're on your bike. Just get out on any bike and never feel pressured into feeling you have to achieve someone else's goals or expectations. You just do you in your own time and in your own way.

[@SheelaghDaly]

Beautifully said -- thank you for sharing your learnings! I learned that lesson about saddle height as well. And couldn't agree more about doing it in your own time and way!

[@mbl102]

Great video/tips! Love your energy!

[@SheelaghDaly]

Thank you so much! ❤️

[@feliciachen4636]

You make cycling so accessible! I really appreciate you sharing your knowledge in such an approachable way. I’m not a gear head and kind of scared of getting scammed into buying a bunch of stuff I dont really need because of my lack of knowledge. So I’m really grateful for creators that are like you! Thank you!

[@SheelaghDaly]

Oh my gosh, thank you so much for taking the time to leave this lovely comment! It really made my day ❤❤❤

[@feliciachen4636]

@@SheelaghDaly Happy to! Keep ip the great work, Sheelagh! You inspire me with every video.

[@HermannKerr]

Tire pressure for speed needs to be matched to the road surface. The rougher the surface the lower the pressure. I too thought that high pressure meant faster, but a lot of energy is wasted bouncing up and down (vibration) due to tires being too hard. I learned this from an elite racer. -I don't have a problem with spoke breakage anymore (I now ride a bent trike with 20" wheels) but do learn how to replace a broken spoke on the road as it is a handy skill. With rim brakes this a must know and and it always seems on the the cassette side of the rear wheel as this was the way on an older bike with a dished wheel and a spin-on. I could replace a spook and true the wheel on the side of the road in under 15 minutes. With disk brakes it become less urgent but it shouldn't be left as this could lead to catastrophic breakage. -Anything you cannot afford to loose carry on your person. I still lament the loss of my camera when I had everything stolen on tour, as the only thing I could not replace were my pictures. It was raining that day and I stuffed my camera into my pannier. I now use a weather sealed camera(s). -And when the unexpected happens that is when the real adventure begins. So when things go wrong start looking for the good stuff - it has never failed me and it makes for some of greatest stories.

[@SheelaghDaly]

Ahh yes, well said about the tire pressure needing to match the road surface - I could have explained that more clearly, thank you for that! And beautifully said about going with the adventure!

[@TyStyckify]

Comfort and tire width are directly directly proportional. Skinny tires work great on glassy smooth surfaces but I never ride on perfect surfaces.

[@grahambonner508]

Good points. The only things I might add would be how to replace a broken spoke and how to deal with a broken derailleur (if you use this type of gear system) or a broken chain. The spoke - you can probably limp to a cycle shop but the derailleur or chain could be very useful to know. I have always been ok with all the mechanical stuff but for many years I lacked the basic knowledge of how to look after the engine (my body) by this I mean - hydration and nutrition, stretching and injury prevention (very important for an older partly worn out cyclist!) This lack of knowledge used to leave me really struggling on longer multi day rides/tours.

[@SheelaghDaly]

Excellent additions Graham! Yes, so many great mechanical skills to pick up. And as you said, taking care of "the engine" is arguably most important of all. Thank you for mentioning this!

[@jeanphillips2285]

As a solo tourer, it is essential that I know how to assemble and repair my bike. I am also 65, so I have not gone as far afield as you do simply for safety. I have ridden sections of the EV6, EV3 and EV15. These routes keep me close to civilization in case there is a medical emergency. I appreciate your videos as I very frequently meet people on bike events that have no idea how their bikes work. The common reason, " my dad, husband, boyfriend, girlfriend always does that" or "I could never fix my bike." as if it is a jet engine. Those folks get a lecture from this old gal on how to fix a flat or to make sure the brakes are set or to look at their tires for cracks or even tread before they go on an uphill gravel race to the top of Windy ridge at Mt St Helens or a 200-mile ride from Seattle to Vancouver. All these things have happened. So, keep it up. You are not the only one who might have learned the hard way. The good thing is you have learned.

[@SheelaghDaly]

I love that you’re out there spreading the word to those you meet Jean! It’s so important 🙏 thanks for the message!

[@Milldogg247]

I would love to go bike packing with you. To be truthful id love to go with anyone really I have no clue where to find a friend who would?.. That's all I've wanted to do for two years now is travel on a bike tour with someone Its important to share life with likeminded people I'm just having a tough time finding anyone interested in new friendships. Anyhow love watching stuff like this as i feel perhaps ill find a riding partner some day.. :)

[@SheelaghDaly]

Hey Liam! There are plenty of people in similar spots :) There are a number of bike touring Facebook groups you could join and people post all the time that they're looking for someone to do a certain ride with. Also, I was surprised to discover how much I loved solo touring. I made a video about it here kzbin.info/www/bejne/fqKvoImdiaeZbrs I came to enjoy the time on my own and also met lots of really lovely people along the way. Wishing you many fun future adventures!

[@rollingthunder4599]

How can, or where can, you learn about bicycle repair? I'm not tearing up my expensive bike to try and teach myself.

[@SheelaghDaly]

I would make some calls around to local bike shops to see if they host any bike repair classes. We are entering the busy spring season so they may not have the capacity for it now, but it may be something they offer in the fall/winter. Many cities also have co-ops that provide the tools and volunteers are around for support when needed. And then it's also worth Googling "bike repair course" and then your city/town name because the city/town or local groups may put together repair courses. Hope that helps!

[@shalakabooyaka1480]

Could always throw $60 at a pawn shop bike and fix it up, then flip it. Get experience, and make a couple bucks possibly.

[@chuckhunter77]

I noticed you pronounce "Raleigh" like "rally" and not "rah-lee". I'm not correcting you or anything, I just find accents interesting. I'm just curious about what region you're from?

[@SheelaghDaly]

How interesting! I never thought of pronouncing it that way. I’m from Ontario, Canada :)